“Give to Gain” was not the theme of international women’s day

Dear Mr. Editor,

International Women’s Day has never simply been about celebration. At its heart, it is meant to be a moment for societies to pause, reflect, and recommit to addressing the inequalities that women and girls continue to face.

For that reason, it was puzzling to see government platforms and political actors on St. Maarten promoting the slogan “Give to Gain,” a theme circulating from a private London-based commercial website, rather than the official United Nations theme for International Women’s Day 2026: “Rights. Justice. Action. For All Women and Girls.”

One must reasonably ask: how did that choice come about?

Did no one pause to consider the difference between the two messages?

The United Nations theme is not simply a slogan. It calls on governments and institutions to confront structural barriers that affect women’s lives — from gender-based violence and economic inequality to gaps within justice systems that often leave victims feeling unheard or unsupported. It is a theme grounded in the understanding that progress requires policy change, institutional accountability, and sustained action.

The “Give to Gain” messaging, by contrast, originates from a platform that has built a commercial industry around International Women’s Day through marketing campaigns, branded merchandise, and corporate messaging. While positivity and celebration certainly have their place, this approach risks reducing a day meant for reflection and accountability into something that feels more like a promotional exercise.

Which raises an important question: should International Women’s Day on St. Maarten be framed primarily through marketing slogans, or through the pursuit of justice and structural change?

Across the island, there are advocates, service providers, and community groups quietly and loudly working with women navigating domestic violence, various forms of control, sexual abuse and harassment, and other forms of harm. Others seem to now be calling for stronger legislation, improved protections for victims, and systems that respond more effectively to the realities women encounter when seeking safety or justice.

These efforts reflect the urgency contained in the United Nations theme: Rights. Justice. Action.

And the reality is that these issues are not abstract. Women on this island continue to navigate complex barriers when seeking protection, safety, and fairness within social and justice systems. These realities deserve acknowledgement and serious attention, particularly on a day meant to highlight the unfinished work of equality.

When official messaging instead echoes commercial slogans, it risks sending an unintended signal that International Women’s Day is primarily about positivity and branding rather than confronting difficult truths.

Perhaps the intention was simply to share an uplifting message. If so, that intention is understandable. But leadership requires more than good intentions. It requires careful reflection on the messages we amplify and the values those messages represent.

The women and girls of St. Maarten deserve more than slogans. They deserve thoughtful leadership, meaningful policy discussions, and a willingness to confront uncomfortable realities where they exist.

International Women’s Day should remind us of that responsibility. After all, when the message becomes merchandise, the movement risks being forgotten. —  Several Readers Reflecting on International Women’s Day

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